Many legitimate individuals use the Internet to sell products; unfortunately, fraudulent individuals also use the internet to reach people and then rob them. 

These Internet predators use classified ad websites to lure potential buyers/sellers to locations.  Once they arrive to the meeting location, victims are robbed of their money or merchandise. 

The Sacramento Police Department wants to prevent you from falling victim to these internet predators.  Below are some tips that will help you avoid being victimized.

Tips:

If you have to meet, avoid locations that you are unfamiliar with.

Agree to meet during daylight hours in a public place that is well lit, has heavy pedestrian traffic, and would commonly be known as having a surveillance system such as banks, shopping centers and parking lots of police stations.  If they refuse to meet at a place you select, cancel the deal.

Avoid meeting alone. Take a cell phone in case you need to call for help.

If possible, avoid paying with cash.  Try to use a traceable method of payment.

Keep documentation such as the posting, any e-mails, and phone numbers the other party used.

Tell someone where you are going and when you should be back.

Once you are at a meeting location and things don't "look or feel" right, then leave.  Trust your gut instincts.

Once you are at the meeting location, don't agree to go to a different location, it could be a setup.

We provide additional crime prevention tips on our website; the more you know, the safer you'll be.  Please visit our website at www.sacpd.org and click on the "Be Safe" option to find out how to better protect you and your property.